Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)

Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)

HEBREWS 1

God’s Final Word: His Son

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

The Son Superior to Angels

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

“You are my Son;

today I have become your Father”?

Or again,

“I will be his Father,

and he will be my Son”?

6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

“Let all God’s angels worship him.”

7 In speaking of the angels he says,

“He makes his angels spirits,

and his servants flames of fire.”

8 But about the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;

a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.

9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions

by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

10 He also says,

“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands.

11 They will perish, but you remain;

they will all wear out like a garment.

12 You will roll them up like a robe;

like a garment they will be changed.

But you remain the same,

and your years will never end.”

13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

“Sit at my right hand

until I make your enemies

a footstool for your feet”?

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Application Notes

1:1-4 The book of Hebrews describes in detail how Jesus Christ not only fulfils the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament but also surpasses everything that came before. At the time this book was writ­ten, the Jews followed the teachings of the Old Testament, but most of them rejected Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. The recipients of this letter seem to have been Jewish Christians. They were well-versed in Scripture, and they had professed faith in Christ. Whether through doubt, persecution, or false teaching, however, they may have been in danger of giving up their Christian faith and returning to Judaism. 

     We do not know who wrote Hebrews. Several possible authors have been suggested, including Luke, Barnabas, Apollos, Priscilla, and Paul. Most interpreters do not believe that Paul was the author, because the writing style of Hebrews is quite different from that of his letters. In addition, Paul identifies himself in his other letters and appeals to his authority as an apostle, whereas the writer of Hebrews, who never gives his or her name, appeals to eyewitnesses of Jesus' ministry for authority. Nevertheless, the author of Hebrews evidently knew Paul well. Hebrews was probably written by one of Paul's close associates who often heard him preach and teach. 

1:1-2 God has used many creative approaches over a long period of time to send his messages to his people. He spoke to Isaiah in visions (Isaiah 6). to Jacob in a dream (Genesis 28:10-22), and to Abraham and Moses personally (Genesis 18; Exodus 31:18). Jewish people familiar with these stories would not have found it hard to believe that God was still revealing his will, but it was astonishing for them to think that God had revealed himself by speaking through his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus fulfils and finalises God's revelation through the centuries. When we know him, we have all we need to be saved from our sin and to have a perfect relationship with God. 

1:2 Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, was God's agent in creating the world: "In him all things were created" (Colossians 1:16). As followers of Christ, we may give easy assent to this truth but deny it in practice. We may believe that Christ knows and controls the laws of heaven (pertaining to salvation and spiritual growth), but we may act each day as though our financial, family, or medical problems are beyond his reach. If Jesus could create the universe, then no part of life is out of his control. Do not exclude Jesus' wisdom and the Bible's guidance in your complex problems of life. No expert, professor, doctor, lawyer, or financial adviser knows more about your ultimate security and well-being than Jesus does. Go first to God for advice. Talk to him in prayer and listen to him speak to you through his Word. He can sustain you in times of stress. From that perspective, you can evaluate all the other wisdom and help made available to you. 

1:3 Not only is Jesus the exact representation of God, but he is God himself-the very God who spoke to the people of Israel. He is eternal; he worked with the Father in creating the world (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). He is the full revelation of God. You can have no clearer view of God than by looking at Jesus Christ. He is the complete expression of God in a human body. 

1:3 The book of Hebrews links God's creative power with his saving power. In other words, the power that brought the universe into being and that keeps it operating is the very power that removes (provides purification for) our sins. How mistaken we would be to ever think that God couldn't forgive us. No sin is too big for the ruler of the universe to handle. He can and will forgive us when we come to him through his Son. In addition, it is important to note that priests would always stand while performing sacrifices, and sacrifices would be performed continu­ally. That Jesus sat down means that his priestly work was finished. We can be completely clean because Christ's sacrifice was final. 

1:4-14 False teachers in many of the early churches were teaching that God could be approached only through angels. Instead of worshipping God directly, followers of these heretics revered angels. Hebrews clearly denounces such teaching as false. Some thought of Jesus as the highest angel of God. But God never called Jesus a superior angel, and in any case, angels are not to be worshipped (see Colossians 2:18; Revelation 19:1-10). We should never accept any intermediaries or authorities as greater than Jesus. He is God. He alone deserves our worship. 

1:4 The name Jesus inherited that is superior is "son." This name, given to him by his Father, is greater than the names and titles of any of the angels. 

1:5-6 As God's honoured, firstborn Son, Jesus rules supremely. In Jew­ish families of this time, the firstborn son held the place of highest privilege and responsibility. The Jewish Christians reading this message would understand that as God's firstborn, Jesus was superior to any created being. 

1:10-12 The author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 102:25-27, regarding God as the speaker and applying the words to the Son, Jesus. The description of the earth and the heavens rolled up like a robe reveals that the earth is not permanent or indestructible (a position held by many Greek and Roman philosophies). God has established Jesus' authority over all creation, so we dare not treat any created object as more important than Jesus. When we focus mostly on ourselves, we elevate ourselves (his creation) as being more important than our creator. When we re­gard our financial assets rather than our faith in Christ as the basis for our security, we give higher status to an earthly resource than we do to God. Rather than trusting in changeable and temporary resources, trust in the eternal God. 

1:11-12 The Jewish Christians were being persecuted by their fellow Jews, who weren't Christians, and were feeling isolated. Many were tempted to exchange their new faith in Christ for their familiar old faith. The writer of Hebrews warns them not to do this. Whatever may happen, Christ alone brings security in our changing world. If we trust him, we are absolutely secure, standing on the firmest foundation in the universe­Jesus Christ. Don't exchange your eternal destiny for a temporary, though more comfortable and familiar situation. 

1:12 What does it mean that Christ is changeless ("You remain the same")? It means that Christ's character will always be true and consistent. He persistently and consistently shows his love to us. He will always be just and merciful. Be thankful that Christ is changeless. He will always help you when you need it and forgive you when you fall. 

1:14 Angels are God's messengers, spiritual beings created by him and under his authority (Colossians 1:16). They have several functions: serving believers (Hebrews 1:14), protecting the helpless (Matthew 18:10), proclaiming God's messages (Revelation 14:6-12), and executing God's judgment (Acts 12:1-23; Revelation 20:1-3). 

Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)